Page 79 of No One’s Daughter

“How do you know him?”

“A long story.”

She rolled her eyes, leaning back into the sofa.

A few minutes passed before Niko reappeared, a small metallic object in his hand, turning it over thoughtfully between his fingers.

​“I’ll need time,” he said. “I’ve reached out to one of my contacts, he should get back to me in a couple of hours. Then I’ll know more.”

​Niko disappeared again, returning shortly after with a bottle of vodka and three small glasses.

​“Make yourselves comfortable,” he said, pouring himself a measure.

​Ailsa huffed a small laugh at that, her gaze already wandering the room. Then she stood, curiosity apparently having won.

​“What’s all this?” she asked, moving toward the wall cluttered with objects—some recognisable, most not.

​Niko followed her gaze. “Ah,” he said, a spark of something almost boyish lighting in his features. “Now, that is a far more interesting question.”

​I leaned back slightly, arms folded, watching as he reached past her to pick up a small, intricately carved object. Bone, by the look of it, though I failed to see why that made it interesting.

​“Found it just last week,” he said, handing it to her carefully. “Or rather, acquired it. It’s older than it looks. Much older.”

​She turned it over in her hands, eyes narrowing in concentration.

​“What does it do?”

​He smiled. “Depends who’s holding it.”

​That earned him a look. “Oh, come on,” she said. “You can’t just say that and not elaborate.”

​I didn’t hear what he said in response—I’d stopped paying attention but she laughed at whatever it was he said. Actually laughed, and my chest tightened at the sound.

​Niko moved on, pulling out another object and they fell into easy conversation.

​Back and forth.

​Questions and answers, her curiosity pulling things from him that he wouldn’t have given just anyone, his amusement growing with each one.

​She leaned closer when he spoke, eyes bright, completely engaged.

​He leaned in too.

​I watched the way she smiled at him—unguarded, lighter than I’d ever seen.

​And I saw the way he looked at her in return.

​Like he was interested.

​I exhaled slowly though my nose, dragging a hand down my jaw as I forced myself to look away.

​This was good. Normal. She needed this; something that wasn’t training, me pushing her, controlling every move she made.

​She was safe here.

​She should enjoy this brief moment of normality.

​She laughed again, shaking her head at something he’d said, her shoulder brushing lightly against his as she handed the object back.